Memorandum submitted by Torfaen County
Borough Council
Torfaen County Borough Council is a key partner
in the restoration of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. We have
been working with British Waterways on the restoration of the
canal corridor for over 10 years.
The partnership includes Newport City Council,
Caerphilly County Council, The Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny
Canals Trust and British Waterways. Key outputs of the restoration
will be the extension of the canal through Torfaen to Newport
and the restoration of the Crumlin Arm. During our period of partnership
working we have achieved a significant investment into the canal
corridor with the current developments at South Sebastopol and
most recently with the initial success with the Living Landmarks
Big Lottery Fund which has allowed further work to be undertaken
to develop the feasibility and costs of the restoration. British
Waterways has been a committed and capable partner with clear
expertise and professionalism in their field.
British Waterways has also been working with
the council on the development of the Forge hammer waterside regeneration
area within Cwmbran which is an important opportunity linked to
the town centre development.
We have also found our relationship with British
Waterways to be very helpful in understanding the importance of
water in developing creative approaches to the regeneration of
urban landscapes. They have inspired us to think more ambitiously
about the possibilities for rejuvenating our communities and environment,
and have taken time and trouble to show us other projects that
they have been involved that have contributed significantly to
the quality of life of their localities. We regard them as a significant
and important partner in our regeneration agenda.
Understanding the pressures on all public sector
organisations at this time we can appreciate the difficult decision
that has been taken to ensure the future of the Monmouthshire
and Brecon Canal and the consequential effect to the Cotswolds
canal restoration however in our view this in no way undermines
British Waterways as a valuable partner.
As an organisation who values our relationship
with British Waterways we would ask the committee to recognise
the positive work being undertaken within Torfaen relating to
the regeneration and canal restoration.
Alison Ward, Chief Executive
Torfaen County Borough Council
March 2008
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